Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
All faiths braai to discuss and digest religious differences
BREAKING bread to bridge differences in faith and culture has become a hallmark of the Open Mosque and tomorrow it will host its bi-annual interfaith braai.
Open Mosque president Dr Taj Hargey said the braai, which will be held at the mosque in Claremont, is “designed to bring people of all faiths together in an age where there is increasing polarisation between the religions”.
Hargey has invited people from all backgrounds and beliefs to take part in “true religious solidarity and extol the deep commonality that binds and connects all of us”.
“This bi- annual function recognises the exclusive sovereignty of the creator by encouraging the adherents of all different spiritual pathways to break bread together and get to know each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.”
Representatives from different religions will give speeches and call “for greater interfaith harmony and communal interaction”, Hargey said.
Rabbi Greg Alexander from Temple Israel said: “The only way to truly understand conflict is to listen to those who have different views than your own. We will never learn anything by hearing people who think like us.
“Interfaith dialogue gives us a chance to hear how other religions think and practise.
“The interfaith braai is a chance for my congregants to meet Christians and Muslims in a relaxed, informal setting and to build friendships.”
Derek Hanslo, a lay minister at Christ the King Church in Claremont. said: “I think it is a good thing for people of different faiths to get together and find commonality, especially in the conducive setting of a braai..
“It is all so relaxed and informal. I find socialising at that level does help to build bridges.
“I have been to other faiths’ services – in the mosque, a synagogue, a Bahai Temple and a Hindu Temple.”